Geranium plant named ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Geranium  plant named ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ that is characterized by low compact spreading habit, dark purple-green foliage, and bright fushsia-red flowers. In combination these traits set ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ apart from all other varieties of  Geranium  known to the inventor.

Genus: Geranium Species ×hybrida.

Denomination: ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofcranesbill plant grown as an ornamental for use in border, rock garden,container, or groundcover for the landscape. The new variety is knownbotanically as Geranium×hybrida and will be referred to hereinafter bythe cultivar name ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’.

The new Geranium variety named ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ is the product of aformal breeding program established by the inventor in 1985 at theinventor's nursery in Kirkwall, Orkney, United Kingdom. The purpose ofthe breeding program was to identify scientific connections betweenspecies of Geranium, and to produce new and interesting garden worthyplants with unusual combinations of characteristics. Two new varietiesthat resulted from this breeding program are Geranium ‘Sabani Blue’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,305) and Geranium ‘Westray’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.13,716).

-   -   ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ is a seedling selection arising from the        inventor's controlled cross-pollination of an unnamed seedling        of Geranium×antipodeum as the female parent, and an unnamed        seedling of Geranium×oxonianum as the male parent.

Geranium×antipodeum is the taxonomic name accorded to hybrids betweenGeranium traversii and Geranium sessiliflorum. The derivation of theparticular plant of Geranium×antipodeum used by the inventor isdescribed herein.

Geranium×oxonianum is itself a hybrid from the cross between Geraniumendressii and Geranium versicolor.

The breeding process which produced ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ proceeded asfollows:

First, in 1992, the inventor successfully cross-pollinated a plant ofGeranium sessiliflorum ‘Porters Pass’ (seed parent, unpatented) with aplant of the species Geranium×traversii (pollen parent, unpatented). Theresulting seed was germinated in 1993, then flowered in 1994 and anindividual seedling was selected in 1994 for further hybridization.

Second, in 1995, the individual seedling selected from the foregoingcross was used as seed parent and backcrossed with a plant of Geraniumsessiliflorum ‘Porters Pass’ as pollen parent. The resulting seed wasgerminated in 1996, followed by flowering and selection of a singlepromising seedling in 1997.

Finally, in 1997, the single promising seedling as above was used asseed parent and crossed with an individual plant of Geranium oxonianum(pollen parent, unpatented). The resulting seed was germinated in 1998,then flowered in 1999. The inventor selected an individual seedling,‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ from this group of flowering seedlings.

During the breeding process, the flowers of each seed parent wereemasculated at the early head stage to prevent self-pollination; whichis a problem of small-flowered species, and bagged to preventcross-pollination. Flowers were collected in the early morning andchecked with a lens to ensure that the pollen had not been disturbed.The flowers were kept in a warm room free from pollinators, and theanthers would release the pollen later in the day. The female flower waschecked with a lens to ensure that no pollen had been left duringemasculation, and was then pollinated with pollen from the male flower —which had been checked with a lens to ensure the pollen was undisturbed.The glassine bag was replaced and remained in place until the seed wascollected, or the cross was determined unsuccessful.

The female parent of ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ no longer survives, but was alow-growing plant with dark brown leaves and small white flowers.‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ is distinguishable from the female parent by greaterspreading of habit, leaf colour, leaf shape, flower colour and flowersize.

The male parent of ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’, Geranium oxonianum, exhibits smallbushy clumping habit, green leaves, and medium-sized reddish-purplefunnel-shaped flowers. ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ is distinguishable from the maleparent by habit, leaf color, flower color, and flower size.

‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ was selected by the inventor in 1999. Selection wasbased on a combination of plant habit, leaf size, leaf shape, leafcolor, and flower color. ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ is characterized by compact lowspreading habit, large dark purple-green leaves, and large brightfuchsia-red flowers. Cultural requirements are freely-draining soil,full sun and adequate but not excess water. ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ is hardy toUSDA Zone 5.

‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ was first asexually propagated in 2000 in Orkney, UnitedKingdom. Asexual propagation was accomplished by the inventor, utilizingthe method of division. Under careful observation ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ hasbeen determined stable, uniform, and reproduces true to type insuccessive generations of asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thedistinguishing characteristics of the new Geranium variety ‘ORKNEYCHERRY’. The traits in combination distinguish ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ from allother varieties of Geranium known to the inventor. The new invention hasnot been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differencesmay be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and culturalconditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

-   -   1. ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ exhibits low compact spreading habit.    -   2. ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ exhibits bright fuchsia-red flowers.    -   3. ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ exhibits dark purple-green foliage.    -   4. ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ blooms in spring, summer, and fall.    -   5. ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ is 12 cm. in height and 23 cm. in diameter at        maturity.    -   6. ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ is asexually propagated by the methods of        softwood cuttings and division.    -   7. Cultural requirements for ‘CHERRY ORKNEY’ are freely-draining        soils, full sun, and adequate but not excess water.    -   8. ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ is hardy to USDA Zone 5.    -   9. ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ is not susceptible to any pests or disease        known to the inventor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Geranium variety named ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ showing the colors as true asis reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.The plants in the drawings are 5-month-old and grown out-of-doors inArroyo Grande, Calif.

The drawing labeled FIG. 1 depicts a view from a side perspectiveillustrating plant habit.

The drawing labeled FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of the flower andfoliage. Colors in the photographs may differ from the values cited inthe detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actualcolors of the new Geranium variety named ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’.

All photographs are taken using conventional photographic techniques andalthough colors may appear different from actual colors due to lightreflectance, they are as possible by conventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Geranium cultivar‘ORKNEY CHERRY’. Data was collected in Arroyo Grande, Calif. from9-month-old plants grown out-of-doors in 1-liter containers. Colordeterminations are in accordance with the 2001 Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart of London, England except where general color termsof ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growing requirementsare similar to the species.

-   Botanical classification: Geranium×hybrida ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’.-   Family: Geraniaceae.-   Genus: Geranium.-   Species: ×hybrida.-   Denomination: ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’.-   Common name: Cranesbill.-   Parentage: Geranium×hybrida ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ is a seeding selection    arising from the deliberate cross-pollination of the following    parents:    -   -   Female parent.—An individual unnamed seedling of            Geranium×antipodeum.        -   Male parent.—An individual unnamed seedling of            Geranium×oxonianum.-   Plant type: Perennial.-   Plant use: Border, rock garden, container or groundcover for the    landscape.-   Plant vigor: Moderate.-   Root system: Fine and fibrous roots.-   Plant habit: Low, compact and spreading.-   Plant dimensions: 12 cm. in height and 23 cm. in diameter in a    1-liter container.-   Plant hardiness: USDA Zone 5.-   Seasonal interest: Bright fuchsia-red flowers spring, summer, and    fall.-   Asexual propagation method: Softwood cuttings and division.-   Special needs: Cut back after flowering to induce fresh flush of    foliage and flowers.-   Cultural requirements: Freely-draining soils, full sun, and adequate    but not excess water.-   Rooting time: A range of 4-6 weeks.-   Crop time: A range of 4-6 months is needed to produce a finished    1-liter commercial container plant from a rooted cutting.-   Susceptibility or resistance to pests and disease: No known    susceptibility or resistance to pests or diseases known to the    inventor.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching pattern.—Rosette.        -   Stem shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Stem color.—146C.        -   Stem surface.—Pubescent.        -   Stem length.—Average of 11 cm.        -   Stem diameter.—Average of 3 mm.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Leaf division.—Palmate.        -   Leaf shape.—Reniform.        -   Leaf base.—Auriculate.        -   Leaf apex.—Rounded apex.        -   Leaf margin.—Palmatifid margin.        -   Leaf color (adaxial surface).—Combination of colors N187A            and 146A.        -   Leaf color (abaxial surface).—146B.        -   Leaf surface (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—Pubescent.        -   Leaf appearance (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—Matte            appearance.        -   Leaf length.—Ranges from 1 cm. to 3 cm. in length.        -   Leaf width.—Ranges from 1 cm. to 3.50 cm. in width.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnipalmate.        -   Vein color (adaxial surface).—187A.        -   Vein color (abaxial surface).—146C.        -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Petiole length.—Ranges from 2.50 cm. to 7 cm.        -   Petiole diameter.—2.50 mm.        -   Petiole shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Color of petiole.—146C.        -   Petiole surface.—Pubescent.        -   Stipules.—None observed.        -   Foliar fragrance.—None observed.-   Flower:    -   -   Inflorescence.—Umbel.        -   Flower quantity.—2 flowers per inflorescence.        -   Flower arrangement.—Cymule.        -   Flower shape.—Rotate.        -   Flower dimensions.—1.75 cm. in diameter and 1 cm. in depth.        -   Aspect.—Facing upward and outward.        -   Self-cleaning or persistent.—Self-cleaning.        -   Flower color.—N74A.        -   Petals.—Five in number.        -   Petal dimensions.—0.75 cm. in length and 0.50 cm. in width.        -   Petals fused or unfused.—Unfused.        -   Petal margin.—Entire.        -   Petal apex.—Emarginate.        -   Petal base.—Cuneate.        -   Petal shape.—Obcordate.        -   Petal surface (abaxial and adaxial surfaces).—Glabrous.        -   Petal color (adaxial surface).—N74A.        -   Petal color (abaxial surface).—N74B.        -   Peduncle shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Peduncle surface.—Pubescent.        -   Peduncle length.—Ranges from 2.75 cm. to 5 cm.        -   Peduncle width.—1.50 mm.        -   Peduncle color.—146A.        -   Pedicel shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Pedicel surface.—Lanate.        -   Pedicel colour.—146C.        -   Pedicel dimensions.—9 mm. in length and 1.50 mm. in            diameter.        -   Stipules.—3 in number.        -   Stipule dimensions.—5 mm. in length and 1 mm. in width.        -   Stipule surface.—Pubescent.        -   Stipule shape.—Ensiform.        -   Stipule apex.—Acuminate.        -   Stipule base.—Truncate.        -   Stipule colour.—146D.        -   Bud color.—N74A and 146A.        -   Bud shape.—Ovoid.        -   Bud surface.—Villous.        -   Bud dimensions.—7 mm. in length and 5 mm. in width.        -   Bud apex.—Rounded.        -   Calyx shape.—Stellular.        -   Calyx diameter.—0.75 cm.        -   Sepals.—5 in number.        -   Sepal dimensions.—7 mm. in length and 2 mm. in width.        -   Sepal margin.—Entire.        -   Sepal surface.—Villous.        -   Sepal shape.—Ovate.        -   Sepals fused or unfused.—Unfused.        -   Sepal apex.—Caudate.        -   Sepal base.—Truncate.        -   Sepal color (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—146A.        -   Flower fragrance.—None observed.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Eight stamens united at base.        -   Stamen color.—155A.        -   Stamen length.—1 mm. in length.        -   Pistil.—One in number.        -   Pistil shape.—Urn-shaped.        -   Pistil color.—155A.        -   Pistil height.—3 mm. in height.        -   Pollen quantity.—Minimal.        -   Pollen color.—164 D.        -   Anther color.—164D.        -   Stigma shape.—5-pronged.        -   Stigma color.—185D.        -   Stigma dimensions.—2 mm. in diameter.        -   Ovary position.—Superior.        -   Ovary color.—146B.        -   Ovary shape.—Ovoid in shape.        -   Ovary dimensions.—2.50 mm. in height and 2 mm. in width.-   Seed: No seed has been observed to date.

1. A new and distinct variety of Geranium plant named ‘ORKNEY CHERRY’ asdescribed and illustrated herein.